Introduction

True adventure narratives range in type from personal accounts to historical retrospectives. Whether the adventures were deliberate or unexpected, the elements of danger raise fans' adrenaline levels and often take readers to exotic locals. Unlike fictional adventures, real life adventures often end in catastrophes. Regardless of the number of survivors, observing the indomitable human will to survive and conquer limitations make for compelling reading. Enjoy these true adventure recommendations collected from the Adult Services staff at Naper Blvd.

The Lady and the Panda: The true adventures of the first American explorer to bring back China's most exotic animal - by Vicki Croke

Publisher: Random House
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 07/01/2005

ISBN-13: 9780375507830
ISBN-10: 0375507833
Call Number: 599.789092 CRO

Just after his wedding, Bill Harkness headed for China in hopes of becoming the first Westerner to capture a giant panda. His quest failed, he died horribly alone in China, and left his wife Ruth heartbroken. With everything against her, Ruth Harkness set off on her own adventure to fulfill her husband's dream. With Quentin Young as a partner, she traveled across some of the toughest terrain in the world: impenetrable bamboo forests, slick mountain slopes, and constant threat from hordes of bandits and hostile natives. Almost miraculously, Ruth returned with a baby panda named Su Lin in her arms and became an international sensation. Ruth's story is an unforgettable, deeply moving adventure. -- Komala R.

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The Hungry Ocean: A swordboat captain's journey - by Linda Greenlaw

Publisher: Hyperion
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/1999

ISBN-13: 9780786864515
ISBN-10: 0786864516
Call Number: 639.2778 GRE

At the time that she wrote this book, Linda Greenlaw was the world’s only female swordfishing captain, and she was the primary source for the technical detail in Sebastian Junger’s The Perfect Storm (see review below). In her own memoir, she describes a typical thirty-day swordfishing trip from Gloucester to the Grand Banks aboard the Hannah Boden (sister ship to the Andrea Gail which was lost during the Halloween storm in 1991). The author describes the boat, equipment, electronics, and her technique for finding just the right area to fish. The process of laying out the 40 mile long-line and hauling in the catch is also explained in detail. She talks about the shipboard life of the crew, their personality conflicts, hard work, and uncertain rewards—what will be the selling price for the catch? -- Beth M.

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Into Thin Air: A personal account of the Mount Everest disaster - by Jon Krakauer

Publisher: Villard
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/1997

ISBN-13: 9780679457527
ISBN-10: 0679457526
Call Number: 796.522 KRA

In 1996, Jon Krakauer was commissioned by Outsider Magazine to accompany a guided expedition on their climb of Mt. Everest. Into Thin Air is his vivid account of what turned out to be the deadliest season in the history of Everest. Although several groups of climbers were ascending the mountain that fateful spring, Krakauer focuses most closely on two of the groups. A total of nine other climbers, including two seasoned guides, perished in the blinding blizzard with hurricane force winds struck the summit. Through a combination of luck, skill, and discipline, Krakauer fortunately survived; however, he was left with heavy emotional baggage. The tragedy at 29,000 ft. became the focus of intense media scrutiny, finger pointing, and soul-searching among the mountaineering community. -- Karen T.

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Endurance: Shackleton's incredible voyage - by Alfred Lansing

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 06/01/1999

ISBN-13: 9780842308243
ISBN-10: 0842308245
Call Number: 910.45 LAN

Alfred Lansing provides an excellent, highly narrative treatment of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition lead by Sir Ernest Shackleton from 1914 to 1917. Despite the fact that this true adventure took place around 1915, the fast-paced narrative remains fresh and draws the audience into the experiences of the crew. Although the expedition failed to accomplish its goal of the first crossing of the Antarctic continent, Lansing’s tale focuses on the ability of man to survive in the face of harsh, almost impossible conditions. The extensive use of and quoting from various diaries creates a believable and immediate sense of involvement. Although Lansing adopts multiple view points, the overall effect is extremely well-balanced, not fractured. The survival of the 28 man crew provides a positive, uplifting ending not found in many true adventure accounts. Simon Prebble’s narration is excellent. -- Karen T.

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In the Heart of the Sea: The tragedy of the whaleship Essex - by Nathaniel Philbrick

Publisher: Viking
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/2000

ISBN-13: 9780670891573
ISBN-10: 0670891576
Call Number: 910.9164 PHI

This National Book Award winner examines the 19th century American whaling industry and the incident which inspired Herman Melville’s Moby Dick: the 1918 sinking of the Essex in the middle of the Pacific by an aggressive sperm whale. Philbrick entertains while describing Nantucket's social and economic history. This work's shortness makes it ideal for reluctant readers with a taste for true adventure. Fans of true historical naval adventures should also check out: Sea of Glory: America’s Voyage of Discovery -- the U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842, by Nathaniel Philbrick and The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty by Catherine Alexander. -- Beth M.

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Into the Wild - by Jon Krakauer

Publisher: Villard Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 01/01/1996

ISBN-13: 9780679428503
ISBN-10: 067942850X
Call Number: 917.98045 KRA

Describes the story of Chris McCandless (aka Alex Supertramp) who leaves his family and friends after graduating from Emory University and heads out west in search of freedom from constraints of society and his family’s expectation of him. He spends 2 years hitchhiking, riding trains and walking across the western USA, making friends, taking odd jobs, camping, kayaking, climbing, and attempting to survive for over 100 days alone in a remote Alaskan area called the Stampede Trail near Denali National Park. He however is unable to sustain himself with hunting and foraging for food, becomes weakened and unable to hike out of the wilderness, and dies alone leaving a journal describing his attempt to survive and a farewell note because he knows he will die without speaking to anyone again. -- Debra G.

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The Long Walk: The true story of a trek to freedom - by Slavomir Rawicz

Publisher: Lyons Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/1988

ISBN-13: 9781558216846
ISBN-10: 1558216847
Call Number: 940.547247 RAW

First published in England in 1956, this book tells the story of how the author, a 25 year old Polish cavalry officer, escaped from a Soviet labor camp during WW II. With 6 companions, he trekked 4000 excruciating miles through Siberia, Mongolia, China and Tibet before reaching freedom in British India. Despite incredible hardships in the tundra, Gobi desert, and Himalayan mountains, the fugitives struggle southward month after month, surviving on solidarity, the kindness of local inhabitants, snake meat, and pure guts. -- Beth M.

Unbroken: A World War II Airman's Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption - by Laura Hillenbrand

Publisher: Random House
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 11/16/2010

ISBN-13: 9781400064168
ISBN-10: 1400064163
Call Number: 940.547252 ZAM

In this second book by Seabiscuit author, Laura Hillenbrand, the story of a fun-loving, dedicated track athlete named Louis Zamporini from Torrance, California is recounted in sometimes harshly graphic, but profoundly moving detail.His youthful hope to run the fastest mile in the 1940 Olympics was waylaid by the onset of WWII and his subsequent enlistment in the Army Air Corps as a B24 crewman. After crashing into the Pacific Ocean during a search and rescue mission, he and 2 fellow airmen are cast adrift for 47 days, only to be picked up by the Japanese who starve and torture him unmercifully in a notorious POW camp.If his amazing survival in the face of daunting mental and physical anguish is not story enough, his post-war adjustment to the difficulties of living with traumatic memories and nightmares grips us with concern for this immensely likable man.His rise above incredibly difficult setbacks to remain an “unbroken” person is truly remarkable and worth telling to the world in this capable author’s compelling style. -- Debra G.

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The Perfect Storm: A true story of men against the sea - by Sebastian Junger

Publisher: Norton
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/01/1997

ISBN-13: 9780393040166
ISBN-10: 039304016X
Call Number: 974.45 JUN

In 1991, around Halloween, a "perfect storm" struck the New England coast sinking the swordfish fishing vessel, Andrea Gail . Knowing that the Andrea Gail is lost with all six hands does nothing to diminish the thrill ride of Junger's story. The narrative begins a few days before the Andrea Gail leaves Gloucester, Massachusetts for the Grand Banks off Newfoundland, Canada. Junger does a great job developing the characters of all six sailors as they prepare to sail, fight faulty equipment, cope with bad fishing, and eventually struggle to survive a storm that was "perfect in the meteorological sense: a storm that could not possibly have been worse." Interwoven with the action and drama are details about boats, fishing, swordfish, Gloucester, and meteorology. Although the Andrea Gail and her crew disappeared without a trace, this recounting leaves readers feeling they witnessed every moment of the merciless battle. After reading the book, or audiobook, try the movie starring George Clooney. -- Karen T.

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The Mapmaker's Wife: A true tale of love, murder, and survival in the Amazon - by Robert Whitaker

Publisher: Basic Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 04/01/2004

ISBN-13: 9780738208084
ISBN-10: 0738208086
Call Number: 981.1032 WHI

Seven French scientists set out for Equatorial South America to try to determine the diameter of the earth at the equator. They are joined by two Spanish learned soldiers in order to protect the secrets of this Spanish colony. Along the way they find many exciting new plants, animals, and native tribes; map the mountains and rivers, face dangers and political maneuvering, but one of them finds romance with a local beauty. After years spent in research and discovery they leave for home. Jean Godin is left behind with his wife, Isabel. Several years later when he tries to find a way to get himself and his family to France he is detained in French Guiana and cannot get back to her. Isabel spends nearly 20 years awaiting his return then decides to try to join him by descending the Andes and navigating the Amazon with an entourage of family and friends. -- Diana J.

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